ONYX SPECIALTY PAPERS INC LAUREL MILL - Pulp and Paper Facility in South Lee, Massachusetts

ONYX SPECIALTY PAPERS INC LAUREL MILL is a pulp and paper facility located at 1085 RTE 102 in South Lee, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. The plant is operational and classified under NAICS codes 322110, 322120, 322121, and 323110, indicating involvement in pulp mills, paper mills, and related converting activities. As a specialty paper producer, it serves niche markets requiring specific paper grades. The facility operates within the United States regulatory framework, which includes multi-media environmental permits under the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Pulp and paper mills are subject to TRI Section 313 reporting for toxic chemical releases. The plant's location in Massachusetts places it under state-level Department of Environmental Protection oversight, with permits likely covering air emissions, wastewater discharge, and solid waste management. The Laurel Mill is part of the broader pulp and paper sector, which is known for significant water and energy use, as well as emissions of particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and odorous sulfur compounds. The facility's operational status and location in a rural area of Berkshire County suggest it may serve regional markets and contribute to local employment. Its environmental significance lies in managing process wastes and complying with stringent US environmental standards.

The Laurel Mill is situated in South Lee, a rural community in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, near the Housatonic River. The pulp and paper sector is inherently pollution-intensive, with primary process emissions including particulate matter, sulfur compounds, and volatile organic compounds from pulping and bleaching operations. Water use and wastewater discharge are major concerns, as mills require large volumes of water for processing and cooling. Community proximity to the facility may raise concerns about odor, noise, and potential water quality impacts on the Housatonic River watershed. The plant's compliance with US EPA regulations, including the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act, is critical to mitigating these environmental risks.